$400m water park developers support new neighbours

Sanad Capital, the developers behind the water park set to be Australia Zoo's new neighbour, makes a donation to the Wildlife Warriors at the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner.Contributed

AUSTRLIA Zoo is set to have a new amusement park neighbour on Steve Irwin Way, and the site's developers have already made a neighbourly offering.

SANAD Capital - developers behind the $400 million ACTVE water and lifestyle park - made a donation of $12,500 to Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors at the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner.

Speaking at the dinner, SANAD Capital chief executive officer, Bradley P Sutherland, said supporting one's neighbour was a way to work together for the greater good of the region.

"If I could donate to anyone in the region, it would be these guys," he said.

"The work Wildlife Warriors do is simply world class and making a difference, not just in the Sunshine Coast, but across the world - also helping to put the region on the world map.

"Our new active lifestyle hub, ACTVE, is approximately 10 kilometres down the road from Australia Zoo and we think, when complete, this hub will complement the zoo and vice versa. Everybody needs good neighbours and we have the best."

Australia Zoo director and Steve Irwin's best mate, Wes Mannion, accepted the donation at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Saturday.

"Wildlife Warriors exists as a way to include caring people and organisations in the protection of wildlife and natural environments," he said.

"SANAD's incredibly generous contribution will help us to further our support of wildlife conservation projects all over the world and we're all extremely thankful for their support ahead of what we expect to be another successful year conserving wildlife and wild places in 2017."